Its funny to me how seasons in our life can prove to be something all together different than what we've expected. My life, if you've looked at any of the recent blog posts, or lack there of, has proven to be a crazed race to the finish of each day. I knew going into this school year that things would be busy, but never expected it to be this frenzied.
Just a few days ago I started a list... I wanted to evaluate where I'm at with my priorities and involvements. I wrote down first the name of each group, then the amount of time involved in our meeting together, then the time that I spend in preparation, then the impact I felt it was making on others involved. My intention was to rate their impacts in order of importance. I guess I was thinking if I could find one with little impact I would feel okay ousting it from my schedule all together. What I found, however, was something all together different.
As I began to think over the faces of the 2-4-year-olds, 5th & 6th graders, women, and choir members that I meet with regularly the Lord began to break my heart anew for each of them. See, my intentions in being involved in these groups is so much larger than the 30-60 minutes I spend each week with them. I began to see that the narrow road keeps narrowing in wiggle room but also in focus.
The song that I linked above has become somewhat of an anthem for me most recently. My favorite phrase is this, "My strength in life is I Am Yours." That's all... I am Yours. I don't have to focus on each of these responsibilities as such... I simply have to focus on Him and they will fall into place. Yes, I have to spend my time preparing, but the outcome is something completely reliant on the Lord... if I allow that in my own mind. In each of my responsibilities I have felt a direct call from the Lord. I was unable to rate any less than the other in regards to impact... that's not my place as I have no idea what impact God is having on each of these groups, or even certain individuals for that matter.
SO, the focus of my road lately is rest. This sounds really funny because I've just told you how busy I am. Yes, I am busy in terms of my hours and days spent. However, my heart can rest. Think for a moment on Hebrews 4:11-16:
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to who we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The rest is not physical, its emotional and spiritual. I have to train my heart and mind to daily draw near to the throne of grace. I have to remember, in all things, that Christ is my refuge and my strength. I HAVE to allow the word of God to cut and shape me into Christ's image (which means I have to be IN THE WORD DAILY). My responsibility in each of my tasks right now is not to those involved, but to the Lord... and if you're in Christ, the same goes for you.
Let's stop looking at our tasks in life as "chores" and start understanding that, whatever we're involved in, God has divinely appointed us to show His face to those we encounter. Let's stop right now and submit to the authority of Christ in our lives by pressing into Him through the knowledge of His Word! Let's allow our strength in life to simply be the label we can wear daily, "I AM YOURS." Let's plant ourselves by streams of living water and allow Him to bring our fruit to harvest in its season (Psalm 1).
Grace and peace to all of you,
Di
